Posted by fluffy on August 6, 2003, at 11:10:20
In reply to Re: Best wishes to my friend B-Cat » Barbara Cat, posted by Ron Hill on August 3, 2003, at 20:52:13
Hey Ron Hill--
I hate to just bulldoze over everyone else's problems here on this thread. And Ron and Katia--I'm so sorry that you guys are feeling bad now. I guess I'm joining that club unfortunately. I'm starting to get that tired-wired feeling that I got last summer. I'm having severe difficulty getting sleep. I'm only sleeping because of those wonderful spendy pills of Ambien. I can't afford them though, and I'm becoming a junky. Even though I'm taking the Ambien, I'm waking up too early and feeling panic attacks just held at bay. I can't tolerate the least amount of coffee b/c it makes me feel panicky--so that's definitely out of the mix. (sometimes I feel like coffee is my barometer--if I drink it and still feel lethargic, I'm usually depressed. If I drink it and I feel panicky, than I'm on the hypomanic side of things.)
If I can't sleep, then I know an episode is most definitely on its way. I'm still taking 200mg of Lamictal. And so far, it's kept the depression from coming around. But the anxiety/hypomania doesn't budge. I asked my pdoc yesterday what the contingency plan is if I continue to have sleep problems. He suggested Melatonin (doesn't help lately) and if not that, Klonopin. But he said only if I could use it a couple of times a week (so I don't get addicted to it). But frankly, I think I need something every night this month to stave off my yearly mixed state. Has anyone been "addicted" to Klonopin. Can you taper off successfully?
The next step would be to try Li in conjunction with Lamictal. Why do I still feel afraid to try the damned stuff? Would Neurontin help my sleep? Would Trazodone??? I think I'll try the magnesium thing tonight.
I don't really know what my point is to this post. I'm just feeling desperate and I need some advice and support.
Katy
poster:fluffy
thread:9730
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030802/msgs/248599.html